Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A big "thanks!" to GigiofCa (click here to read her post), Heather:D, & AnneG who shared the following email from J.Crew. J.Crew Factory stores are carrying a big sale in all their locations, with up to 50% off select summer styles and up to 60% off for CrewCuts.

I attended a (destination) wedding this weekend and took a side trip to visit a J.Crew Factory Store. I ended up disappointed. Although there were lots of sales going on (additional 20% off sale items, 50% off strapless tops, all dresses 40% off), I found some of the price points off putting. The following are examples why:

I found that the Factory version of J.Crew regular store items more expensive. For example, the Factory Store version of the Slub Cotton Ruffled Scoopneck Tee (Item 13657; $39.50, select colors like Navy for $19.99) selling for $29.50. I also found regular J.Crew items selling for more than what I paid for at the regular stores. For example, I purchased a simple white bangle for $9.99 a month ago. The Factory Store was selling it for $14.99. I left the store with just one item, a $20 pair of sandals (similar to the Carina metallic T-strap flats; Item 15791) for $20.

Are you planning to visit a Factory Store to check out the sale? Are there any items you are hoping to purchase while there? If so, please share! :)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who let us know about J.Crew's most recent email, which showcases all of Jenna Lyons' picks for the latest catalog. (That image is super long. To see it larger, click here.) ;)

Do you agree or disagree with any of the items selected? What are your thoughts on the color palette? Which items (or colors) did you hope to see?

Monday, June 29, 2009

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post. Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available in the Spring sale, or to see some new Summerarrivals {wahoo!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

J.Crew sent an email this morning reminding us that their offer for free shipping on orders of $175+ with promo code BEACH will end today, 6/25/09. This offer was extended, as it was originally set to expire yesterday (refer to this post). :)

J.Crew is also telling us to not forget about shopping their Final Sale (refer to this post). Ha! ;)

Did you take advantage of this latest promotion? If so, what items did you order? If not, are there no items that interest you or are you waiting for a better promotion? :)

"Thanks!" to Em who was kind enough to not only let us know that J.Crew was featured in the recent Fitness Magazine, but also scanned the image for us to view. To view the image larger, click here or on the image itself.

The item featured is the Sunblocks-Print Shorts (Item 15013; $58.00, select colors $39.99 ) in "Dark Shell". According to J.Crew, these shorts are: "Sleek and chic, this simple cotton style is clad in a soft, eye-catching geometric print. Cotton with a hint of stretch. City fit—our lowest rise. Sits just above hip. Side zip. Front flap-pockets, on-seam pockets. 3" inseam". I am a big fan of cotton with some stretch!

Incidentally, "A Bigger Closet" blog has a {great} post (click here) reviewing these shorts. She shares the following: "The shorts I'm wearing are size 4. I sized up so I could wear them low on the hips for maximum length. These are short shorts, so I may end up letting the generous hem down on these for the extra inch of length...or I may not. It will really depend on how I feel in them when I move around. The shorts have a side zipper and pockets that arrive sewn shut but can easily be opened with a seam-ripper. The material is a heavyweight, sturdy washable cotton and the waistband doesn't have belt-loops on this style."

What are your thoughts on the shorts? Have you tried them on or own them? Would you recommend buying them? What are your thoughts on J.Crew's shorts in general? What length do you prefer?

A big "thanks!" to Sydneygirl (in this post) who shared the following news about J.Crew's red phone:

"...they will no longer allow you to have both free shipping from the red phone on full price items AND your teacher/student discount. You can only have one or the other. The red phone used to be their big thing they promoted vs other stores. Now they are taking away their discounts all over the place. I was told this was a new policy."

This is sad J.Crew-related news. It seems as though the benefits and perks keep getting reduced. With that said, I am still very thankful for the teacher/educator and student discounts at J.Crew- and I hope they do not remove it altogether. Especially since the retail industry is still hurting (just look at retailers like Eddie Bauer, who recently filed for bankruptcy protection).

What are your thoughts on this latest change? Did you know about this change? Will this have an impact on your future orders?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

J.Crew sizing is a topic that comes up often in the comments. For the most part, I know my sizes in all categories (tops, bottoms, etc.). However, I noticed in the past few seasons that I have fluctuated in size. (Yes, I think "vanity sizing" might be involved here since I have remained the same weight and height.)

As of recent, several Aficionadas have mentioned (in various posts) the following news about J.Crew sizing:

XXS will now be available for women. I think this is a great idea! This is one area where I think vanity sizing has taken over. I use to be a 2 on top and now I am buying more and more size 0. My top has not changed either. Since I bumped down sizes, I often wondered what happened to the original extra-small, size 0, wearers. ;)

Size ranges will be limited (& vary) for new items. (Refer to Jacquelyn's great post, "A Sizing Rant", over at her "Musings by Jacquelyn" blog.) For example, some items in J.Crew's Look Book (refer to "J.Crew's Fall '09 Look Book {thanks naomi!}") will be offered in sizes 0 to 8 while others will be offered up to size 12. I am not sure how J.Crew determined which item gets which size range. But if demand levels are involved, it seems like it would be wiser to not eliminate all sizes over a certain number. Instead, it might be better to reduce the inventory level of less popular sizes (small and large sizes that aren't selling well) and increase the popular sizes.

What are your thoughts about J.Crew sizes/ sizing? Have you been consistent with their size chart? What are your feelings about J.Crew offering more XXS sizes, while limiting the larger sizes (e.g. is it savvy business move, or alienating customers)? Do you know any more sizing-related news with J.Crew? If so, please share! :)

A big "thanks!" goes to Marietta who shared with us another great promotion from J.Crew's sister store, Madewell. Madewell is opening a new store in Long Island (NY) on Tuesday, June 30th. To help celebrate, they are offering customers 15% off all purchases (no minimums). This offer expires 7/14/09.

Just click on the image above or here (which will take you to a larger version of the image) and print it out (so the associate can scan the bar code).

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

"Thanks!" to many of you, including green_dino, CheesyGoodness, Goldenmeans, GigiofCa, & Ruffles (in this post) as well as Ema & Marietta, who let us know about the latest update to J.Crew's sale section. The {dreaded} Final Sale has reappeared on J.Crew's website today (click here).

I guess we all knew that the removal of final sale was not going to last forever. But for some reason I thought it would not return until the end of summer. It seemed like we had a good run without the "final sale".

J.Crew also sent an email this morning (shown below) with the subject line of "Introducing FINAL SALE - today is the day". J.Crew, no "introductions" needed. ;)What are your thoughts on the final sale's return? Did you know it was coming? Does "final sale" play a factor in the purchasing decision when it comes to purchasing sale items?

A super big "thanks!" to Jenn who let us know that J.Crew is having another (their 4th!) sample sale in NYC.

The sample sale starts Sunday, July 12th and will last until Friday, July 16th. It's unclear if its just Women, or it will include Mens and Crewcuts. Right now, the merchandise will consist of "sample & stock". Usually more information is provided as the date draws near. For more information from ClothingLine, click here.

I am happy to see that the first day of this event is on a Sunday (as most attending will not need to take the day off from work). With that said, I have no intentions of attending this event. The last three sample sales seem to have been a bust. The merchandise was not that spectacular (e.g. limited sizes & quantity; merchandise second rate in some cases) and the prices were higher than expected (e.g. can get a better price waiting for a sale online or in stores with first rate merchandise in one's size).

With that said, I would totally attend the event if I knew the items being sold were at reasonable prices and the merchandise selection was better. ;)

Will you be attending this latest sample sale? If you are, please let us know! :)

Madewell is hosting an event at one of their NYC stores where customers can "be the first to shop a custom-curated selection of vintage finds" from their "favorite outdoor market". J.Crew will even provide refreshments and a "special Madewell Microbrew".

This {amazing} event will take place on Thursday, June 25th from 6 to 8 PM. If you are interested, RSVP to nycevents@madewell1937.com.

Lastly, the location for this event is:

Madewell SOHO468 Broadway (at Broome)(212) 226-6954

I visited the new Madewell store in Farmington, CT this Sunday and walked away feeling "meh" about the store. However, an event like this would totally make me feel excited about re-visiting it. I am totally curious about what "vintage finds" they picked out too! :)

What are your thoughts on this event? Do you think this is a good marketing tool by J.Crew? Do you plan on attending the event? If so , please share! :)

Monday, June 22, 2009

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who let us know about J.Crew's latest email.

The email reminds us that their offer for free shipping on orders of $175+ with promo code BEACH expires 6/24/09.

The email also showcases the classic Tretorn® Canvas Sneakers (Item 18317 ; $68.00). According to J.Crew's website: "Established in 1891 and considered the first luxury sport shoe, Tretorn sneakers—synonymous with good taste and practicality—have been worn on (and off) tennis courts around the world. This lightweight canvas shoe, inspired by a vintage sneaker from the 1950s, epitomizes everything we love about the iconic Swedish brand and features new, exclusive colors you won't find anywhere else."

It's clear J.Crew loves these sneakers from their description of them. What are your thoughts on the shoes? Do you love them or would you leave them? Do you think they are worth the $68 price tag? :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post. Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

Friday, June 19, 2009

A super big "thanks!' to E (in this post) & Marietta who let us know that J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $150+ with promo code TA-940. Not clear when this offer expires. :)

Also, a super big "thanks!' to Marietta (in this post) who let us know that J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $175+ with promo code BEACH. (She was also nice to share the email, the image shown on the left, containing the offer.) This offer expires 6/24/09. :)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including silver_lining, Regina, goldenmeans & FFM (in this post), who let us know that J.Crew updated its website (click here). There are new arrivals for men (click here), women (click here), & the J.Crew Collection (click here).

In addition to having new arrivals for men and women, J.Crew also provided the latest July catalog online (click here to view).

What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Also, did you receive the latest catalog?

P.S. FFM (in this post) asked a great question that I have been wondering myself: are there any free shipping codes (that haven't expired) out there? If so, please share! :)

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available in the Spring sale, or to see some new Summerarrivals {wahoo!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A big "thanks!" to Naomi who let us know that she uploaded several images of the latest J.Crew Look Book catalog. (The above slide show is also from Naomi.) Once again, I cannot wait to go through the images to see what new items will be available for Summer!

Also, "thanks!" to AnneG who shared with us the image (click the image or here to view larger) of the Look Book cover with the note that was sent to several J.Crew card members in the mail. The note reads: "We wanted you, our J.Crew Credit Cardmembers, to be the first to get a sneak peek of our FALL COLLECTION and pre-order your favorites. Call your personal shopper to get started. Don't have one? Call 800 261 7422 or email erica@jcrew.com to be set up with your style expert." I think it was a nice touch to send card members the Look Book. :)

P.S. I have to say that I really appreciate everyone's willingness to share and contribute- you all are the best!

P.S.S. With all these new catalogs, who else thinks the website will be updated with new arrivals soon? :)

Did you get a copy of the new Look Book? What are your thoughts on the items slated for the upcoming Fall season? Do you think it's too early or the right time, to be thinking about the Fall season? ;)

There is definitely something pretty about the "falling rose petals" which are "styled in a beautiful silk shantung and boasts frayed silk chiffon trim carefully applied by a single tack to a picot-finished organza ribbon". The rose petals are just the right touch of feminine grace on the standard jacket.

This seems like a great jacket that can dress up anything- from a dress to a Summer wedding to a pair of khakis or jeans to a late night bite with friends.

With that said, I definitely have some reservations about the jacket itself. (1) With its straight shape fit that hits at hip, I am not sure how flattering it will look. Even the stylists at J.Crew decided to belt the jacket on the model for their catalog image above. (2) Although the "Buff" shade is beautiful, would this same shade wash some of us out? I would love to see this jacket being offered in some other colors as well. (3) Lastly, I am surprised that this J.Crew Collection jacket is unlined! For $240, is lining too much to expect? ;)

What are your thoughts on the Falling-Petals Jacket? Do you "love it" or would you "leave it"? Have seen it at a store? If so, please share with us your review. :)

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A big "thanks!" to GigiOfCa (in this post) who let us know that she uploaded several images of the latest J.Crew catalog. (The above slide show is also from GigiOfCa. Click here to see her "J Crew Catalog - Jul 09" post at her {great} blog, Gigi's Gone Shopping).

I can't wait to go through the images to see what new items will be available for Summer! (I was so excited about the catalog, that I posted about it before I virtually "flipped" through it!) :)

I am especially happy to see the new catalog since I usually receive my copy in the mail waaaay after it gets posted online. ;)

Did you get a copy of the new catalog? What are your thoughts on the items slated for upcoming Summer 2009? Which items do you love or would leave? What items are you hoping to see? ;)

A big "thanks!" to Tweedybird who let us know about some {great} J.Crew news over at WWD (click here). Tweedybird also shared the entire article as well as the following interior shot of the store (also from WWD's article) for us to view. (The exterior image comes from Racked, click here for the original article.)

Six days ago, a 500-square-foot space for the brand’s array of accessories, ranging from $7.50 hair clips to $298 Italian leather hobos, opened in the existing J.Crew store at 99 Prince Street. While the store leads easily into the adjacent 2,600-square-foot women’s floor, it feels more like a stand-alone than a shop-in-shop, having a separate entrance, windows and decor. The look is modern, with washed herringbone oak floors and vitrines inset in the walls, balanced by vintage elements like brass jewelry cases and a chandelier.

It’s an appeal based on spirited design and reasonable pricing. “The relative value is pretty compelling,” said Millard “Mickey” Drexler, J.Crew Group’s chairman and chief executive. “I think if a customer can find something that’s relatively well priced and under a certain price, and it’s fun, he or she will buy it.”

Asked to characterize the clientele, Drexler replied, “It’s the same customers shopping the designer stores.” They’re looking to spend less for products with style and of similar quality, he added. “The accessories can go with anyone’s apparel, but frankly we would rather have women wear it with our apparel.”

Among the bestsellers so far: strappy snakeskin and suede sandals, priced $298; leather ballet flats with neon trim, $148; chandelier-style earrings, $75, and antique bracelets with grosgrain bows, $95. “There are not a lot of places that have this level of detail at this price point,” Drexler observed. The shoes and leather bags are all made in Italian factories utilized by designers, and there is a smattering of non-J.Crew product, including a few Rolex watches, priced $2,800 with custom painted dials and Hugo Marie Bib necklaces.

The format is a takeoff of the much smaller “shoe salon” in the J.Crew Collection store at 1035 Madison Avenue. The salon displays some jewelry and handbags, as well as shoes, but without the breadth of product seen in SoHo. J.Crew plans a third accessories shop inside its East Hampton store, though the format is not necessarily a rollout strategy. “Not at all,” Drexler said, when the question was raised. “Right now, we are just thinking that we are loving the feel of it. Customers love our accessories. Nothing is terribly scientific for us. We debated what to use this room for. Probably, it makes the most sense for accessories. It shows off the merchandise more effectively than other stores. Usually accessories, by virtue of [requiring] little space, should be more productive than other categories.”

He also nixed the notion that freestanding accessory shops, independent of a J.Crew apparel store, could one day open. “We’re not thinking separate stores,” Drexler said. “Why have a customer walk to another store? We will always integrate accessories with apparel.”

The accessories shop was previously housed by Crewcuts, which has been relocated to the back half of the 2,400-square-foot lower level, where there was previously men’s wear. J.Crew now operates a men’s store nearby at 484 Broadway, as well as the Liquor men’s store at 235 West Broadway. By removing men’s from the Prince Street store, the children’s, women’s and accessories collections could be better displayed.

The changes on Prince Street also reflect J.Crew’s perpetual fine-tuning, whether it involves fashion or store formats, and its willingness to change and grow while having to work hard to manage inventories during the downturn. In the past few years, the company has launched stores for Crewcuts, men’s wear and Collection. Jewelry was launched in 13 stores in fall 2007, and by holiday 2008 was in all 206 J.Crew retail stores. The company is also beefing up its footwear and accessories catalogue, with the September edition to include an exclusive collection of Italian leather handbags including the Gallery and Minaudière Collections.

As far as the new accessories format in SoHo, J.Crew expects to quickly learn whether it’s working. “After a week or two or three, we should have a pretty good feel,” Drexler said.

This is very exciting news! :) The interior image looks quite lovely. This definitely seems like a great store to visit if one's in the area.

"Thanks!" goes to J.Crew Guy in Canada who let us know that J.Crew was spotted at Omiru (Style For All) (click here). In particular, the post discusses the latest fashion trends for Men this Summer of '09 that features several J.Crew pieces (4 out of 5!)

Mens fashion trends for Summer 2009 range from the tailored to the rugged to the preppy. Think white jeans, pocketed parkas, classic slim fit v-neck sweaters, moccasins, sharp blazers, and classic Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses. But what are our favorite items that actually deserve a place in your closet? Omiru’s guide to summer 2009 mens fashion trends cuts to the chase to deliver the five items you’ll be reaching for over and over this summer.

Is there anything more reminiscent of Americana than the classic baseball jacket? Brings us back to the good old days - when the sport was more about the players and less about performance drugs. For those of you who want to evoke that Americana spirit, we have a classic baseball jacket (though ironically made by a British company) that’s even better than the original. We’re digging the slim cut on Baracuta’s Harrington jacket–it puts the style back into the sport.

You loved shawl collar sweaters last Winter in chunky knits. Now, continue your love affair with the shawl collar with a lightweight cotton version of the sweater that’s destined to become a classic. Perfect for those balmy summer nights—or days in heavily air conditioned rooms. BTW–these sweaters have to be our favorite 2009 mens fashion trend.

We called Horizontal Stripes as a key menswear trend way back when, in April 2008. But it’s just as relevant now as it was then. Not to mention that The Upgrader over at men.style.com featured these stylish stripes last month in a horizontal stripe trend report piece (btw, we love the tongue-in-cheek “cost per stripe” calculation on each item). The key takeaway? Wear these horizontal stripes—on t-shirts, sweaters, and even hoodies.

Crisp and light, Madras plaid is named after its city of origin, a warm city in Southern India. True to its roots, Madras plaid is carefree, youthful, and colorful. Add in a dose of preppy—and they’re the perfect fabric for a pair of summer shorts. Get your plaid on with a versatile green-and-blue pattern from J Crew. Fun fact about Madras plaid? In the US, Madras plaid is a popular summer choice for both men and women. But back in India, it’s worn almost exclusively by men.

Aviators have been popular since the 1960s, but they’re back with a Top Gun like rage this summer. The teardrop shape of these sunglasses is flattering on a variety of face shapes. Plus, their oversized style makes them a celebrity favorite. Grab a pair of designer aviators for a price that’s somewhat less than designer (though still not cheap, we know). It’s worth it though – Selima Optique is known for their luxury sunglasses.

The list is a good one, but I think the baseball jacket has an age limit (in particular, guys under the age of 30). Knowing my husband, he would not wear the baseball jacket. And he probably wouldn't wear the Madras shorts either (although I think a man of any age would wear them).What are your thoughts on the trends offered? Do you disagree or agree with any of them? What are your predictions for "what's hot" for men this summer?

A big "thanks!" to Marietta & an Anonymous Aficionada who shared the following event & offer for the J.Crew-At-The-Beach store in East Hampton (NY).

The day before Father's Day this year (Saturday, June 20th), artist Richard Haines will be at the East Hampton store from 12-2PM and 4-6PM. Moreover, they are offering "an original sketch" from the artist "of anything you ask for- you, the dog, the kids, you name it" with any purchase of $125+.

Awhile back, J.Crew held a similar event with Richard Haines for its latest Men's store in NYC (refer to the "J.Crew's New Men Shop (In NYC)" post for more information). (Although there was no purchase necessary to receive a personalized sketch.)

Have you already visited the new East Hampton store? If so, what are your thoughts (in terms of merchandise selection, layout, and the like)? Do you think you will visit it soon (to either meet Richard Haines or to see the store itself)? Do you prefer to visit a Men-Only (or Women-Only) J.Crew store (as oppose to visiting a regular store)? :)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Awhile back, we got to see some Summer 2009 catalog images (please refer to the "Sneak Peek Into J.Crew's July Offerings {yey!}" post)."Thanks!" to Hutton (in this post) who let us know that over at FabSugar (click here), several new images of the upcoming Summer 2009 collection were revealed. Pink Lemonade also posted some of these images at her {great} blog (click here). Gossip Crew (in this post) correctly pointed out that the images are the same from J.Crew's look book (click here). :)

The following is FabSugar's take on J.Crew's latest arrivals:

Sneak Peek! J.Crew Collection, Summer '09By FabSugarJune 10, 2009

J.Crew's Collection clothes are a step up from their usual feminine fodder. Luxurious fabrics and fine details make for a plush lineup. If things are overly frilly for you, at least revel in the keen styling. Brown belts softly break things up, jewelry is piled on haphazardly, cardigans are thrown over just so. Colors are sticky sweet: canary yellow, bougainvillea pink, misty gray, frothy cream. I've got my sights set on this ikat halter dress. Who would think to wear a sporty anorak over it? That would be the work of Ms. Jenna Lyons. Well played.

Many of the items are already available from the current catalog, although it looks like there may be a few new pieces. I will give J.Crew credit- the images are gorgeous and the styling is lovely! :) P.S. What is up with that shiny, button-down, skirt? I am soooo not lovin' it.What are your thoughts on the items slated for upcoming Summer 2009? Which items do you love or would leave? ;) Do you agree with FabSugar's take on the images? :)

Same-store sales may continue to tumble, but that’s not preventing specialty retailers from continuing to explore opportunities to identify and build new markets during the downturn.

Speakers came to this week’s Piper Jaffray retail conference in New York loaded with stories about what they’re doing to cut costs and inventories, but several also shared their ideas on how best to take advantage of the Internet and secondary markets and fine-tune merchandising and marketing strategies, including private label, to cope with the transformed retail landscape. ...

J.Crew Group chairman and chief executive officer Millard “Mickey” Drexler struck a blow for exclusivity, both online and off.

“We are not open to others cutting prices,” Drexler said. “If you own anything others own, you are vulnerable of the competition selling it at a lower price.”

At the firm’s annual meeting earlier this month, Drexler said that, while “a work in progress,”the company plans to launch e-commerce for its Madewell unit in the first quarter of next year.

“We are not in a hurry, but we want to keep growing, obviously,” he said. “I think the world is going where it’s going. We’re not going to fight it.”

The article doesn't reveal too much in terms of J.Crew's future. But at least we know when Madewell's e-commerce site is being pushed back until. Hopefully it will run smoothly. (And wouldn't it be great if they did something similar to Gap, Inc.- where they combine shopping carts of their several stores?)

What are your thoughts on the article? Are you disappointed or happy to hear that Madewell's e-commerce site will "go live" next year?

Again, I want to say "thank you!" for all the well-wishes I received for my trip to Paris last week. I had a great time (oh the delicious food and fabulous museums!), despite a few minor snags. (One, the weather- It was cold and raining every day! I didn't bring enough warm clothes. ;) Two, the employee strikes. The hotel we were staying at was in its first week of an employee strike. Even at the Palace of Versailles, there was an employee strike going on!)

The Parisian women (in general) are gorgeous and stylish, (which is expected, considering the city's unique and rich history with fashion). While there, I could not help noticing a few fashion trends that were very popular- which I listed below. I am sure J.Crew will incorporate some of them with its future collections (and in some cases, they already have).

Boxy, swingy jackets. These jackets were everywhere! Not a fitted jacket in sight when it came to the retail stores! Even jackets that were meant to be belted were worn without the belt. For example... I was at my hotel when I noticed one of the patrons was wearing J.Crew's Frenchie Slicker (Item 11293; Regular $165.00, now $69.99-89.99), without the belt. (Yes! I spotted J.Crew everywhere in Paris- and I loved it!)

J.Crew has been offering a lot more of these jackets the past few seasons. I predict that they will continue to in the foreseeable future.

Tight, skinny jeans. It was clear who were the tourists from America - because we were all (including myself) wearing dark trouser jeans. But the fashionable Parisians were all sporting skinny jeans in a variety of washes and colors. This look is great for those who are tall and lean- but what about the rest of us? ;)

Loose suit jackets. The suit jackets with tight jeans was another big look. The jackets were not fitted as they had more of a looser shape (which makes it look a bit more like men's suiting). Moreover, the sleeves were rolled up for a more casual look.

Gladiator & Boot-like sandals. This look was everywhere. There were lots of versions of these styles too. Some wore sandals that laced up to their knees. While others wore gladiator sandals with fringe detailing on the front. I also noticed several women wearing sandals with a wraparound the ankle, like it was a sandal boot.

Harem Bottoms. Also, known as MC Hammer pants. These pants & shorts were everywhere! (Refer to here to see Madewell's email promoting them.) And they were almost always worn by pretty & young women. Honestly, none of them looked good with the style- and if they can't "work it", I can definitely not! ;)

What are your thoughts on these trends? Are you a fan of any of them? Are there any trends you are hoping doesn't make it to the States (e.g. I nominate the Harem pants!)? ;)

Monday, June 15, 2009

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Pixelant, Suzy, & Proudfeet (in this post), who shared with us J.Crew's latest promotion.

J.Crew is offering 20% off your entire order of $150+ with promo code TOPSECRET and $175+ with promo code SECRET. This offer expires 6/17/09.

Do you think you will take advantage of this offer? If so, please share! ;)

P.S. I am finally home from my vacation and I am planning to go through all the comments & emails in the next few days- and will update with new posts accordingly. "Thanks!" for all the well-wishes! I had a great time overall. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post. Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

Friday, June 12, 2009

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available in the Spring sale, or to see some new Summerarrivals {wahoo!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

As mentioned in an earlier post (refer here), I am on vacation! Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with all the latest J.Crew news, promos, and the like.

So this post is the "catch all" for J.Crew Aficionadas and Aficionados to share with one another the "current happenings" for today. Feel free to post your comments here- from current J.Crew promotions, sales, emails, and even questions on products (regarding fit & size), and the like. :)

P.S. There will be a daily "J.Crew News: What's Happening Today?" for the rest of the week- in order to keep the most current news on the most current post. :)

What comments do you want to share or ask of other Aficionadas and Aficionados? What is currently happening (in terms of promos, sales, emails, products, and the like)?

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Some of J.Crew's latest arrivals are being featured in the latest issue of Marie Claire magazine. :)

The J.Crew items are the Claire Neon-Trimmed Leather Ballet Flats (Item 14742) and retail for $148.00. (Click here to view a larger image.) The magazine is promoting "high lights" in one's wardrobe, in order to "revolutionize fashion's gray scale with flashes of Technicolor neon brights".

J.Crew has already embraced the neon trend. In their latest catalog (click here to browse) they even had a page stating: "Pop art. This season's palette features heavenly hues, bright bursts of color, and new neons against a neutral backdrop, from hand-finished details to the absolute highest level of design. Each piece is a piece de resistance".

I remember rockin' the neon look in 4th and 5th grade- from scrunches, tees, to even my nail polish. It's hard to believe that neon colors are making their way back. That is because neon shades are very tricky to pull off. I agree with the advice offered by J.Crew and Marie Claire, that neons are best in small doses (i.e. a splash of neon with a neutral backdrop). As for the flats from J.Crew, they are cute- but not fabulous (and for $148- they should be fabulous flats). ;)

What are your thoughts on the Claire Neon-Trimmed Leather Ballet Flats (e.g. do you like/ dislike the colors)? Do you like the neon trend in general? How would you incorporate the neon style in your wardrobe?

As mentioned in an earlier post (refer here), I am on vacation! Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with all the latest J.Crew news, promos, and the like.

So this post is the "catch all" for J.Crew Aficionadas and Aficionados to share with one another the "current happenings" for today. Feel free to post your comments here- from current J.Crew promotions, sales, emails, and even questions on products (regarding fit & size), and the like. :)

P.S. There will be a daily "J.Crew News: What's Happening Today?" for the rest of the week- in order to keep the most current news on the most current post. :)

What comments do you want to share or ask of other Aficionadas and Aficionados? What is currently happening (in terms of promos, sales, emails, products, and the like)?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

As mentioned in an earlier post (refer here), I am on vacation! Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with all the latest J.Crew news, promos, and the like.

So this post is the "catch all" for J.Crew Aficionadas and Aficionados to share with one another the "current happenings" for today. Feel free to post your comments here- from current J.Crew promotions, sales, emails, and even questions on products (regarding fit & size), and the like. :)

P.S. There will be a daily "J.Crew News: What's Happening Today?" for the rest of the week- in order to keep the most current news on the most current post. :)

What comments do you want to share or ask of other Aficionadas and Aficionados? What is currently happening (in terms of promos, sales, emails, products, and the like)?

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

One of J.Crew's new arrivals is being featured in the latest issue of Marie Claire magazine. :)

The J.Crew item is a cargo jacket and retails for $125. (Click here to view a larger image.) The magazine suggests to achieve a "casual glam" look by topping "a 20's-style designer skirt with an easy-to-wear flak jacket" like J.Crew's. This is a new item, yet to be released online and is probably an "upcoming Summer" item (that or, I couldn't find it online).

To be honest, I am not super excited about the jacket. The jacket looks just okay in the magazine- and I am not sure how fitted it is in real-life. (My preference is that it's fitted, over boxy.)

What are your thoughts on the new J.Crew jacket (e.g. do you like/ dislike the shape, style)? Do you like cargo jacket look in general? What is your preference fit for jackets (e.g. boxy, fitted)? :)

As mentioned in an earlier post (refer here), I am on vacation! Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with all the latest J.Crew news, promos, and the like.

So this post is the "catch all" for J.Crew Aficionadas and Aficionados to share with one another the "current happenings" for today. Feel free to post your comments here- from current J.Crew promotions, sales, emails, and even questions on products (regarding fit & size), and the like. :)

P.S. There will be a daily "J.Crew News: What's Happening Today?" for the rest of the week- in order to keep the most current news on the most current post. :)

What comments do you want to share or ask of other Aficionadas and Aficionados? What is currently happening (in terms of promos, sales, emails, products, and the like)?

Monday, June 8, 2009

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)

Incidentals

The following blog is just a forum for people to express their thoughts and opinions about J.Crew. Also, please note that most (if not all) of the images come from J.Crew's website and/ or catalog. Lastly, J.Crew is *not* affiliated with this site. :)